Forwarded with permission.

From: "Michael J. McCann"
Love Fireworks? Think Your Hound Does?

The fourth of July is right around the corner. Everybody love the fireworks:
Well, almost everybody. How about your hounds?

Inevitably, this time of year results in lost hounds, scared by fireworks,
running in terror: some to be hit by cars, others never to be found. The
Greyhound List, and the Greyhound Amber Alert have seen far too many of
these over the years.

Some of the things you can do to keep your hound safe this year:

1) Don't let your hound stay in the yard alone. Fireworks can terrify them,
and the adrenaline rush can be enough to propel them over fences you never
imagined they could clear.

2) Keep your hound indoors, play the stereo or TV and keep the air
conditioner or fans going to keep outdoor noise muted.

3) If your hound is especially fearful, and frightened of noise, see your
vet about medications that may help to keep him calm.

4) If you are leaving you hounds with someone, make sure they are savvy
about your hound's reactions to noise, and sensitive to their needs. Many,
many lost hounds get loose from caretakers.

5) Make sure your hound is wearing identification. Too often people never
see their hound again, just because that when found, the rescuer didn't know
where to bring the dog or whom to call.

Have a wonderful, safe holiday everyone.

Michael McCann
Boston

I'm glad to see you posting this reminder Christina. We must always be on the defensive to protect our dogs.
Fortunately my 3 don't get too crazy at the sound of fireworks - not so much fearful as each of them trying to bark back at the "bangs". I try to get them indoors as quickly as possible.
When I was a child my family went camping in Baja Mexico. While in the village of San Felipe someone set off firecrackers that startled a local dog. It charged and bit my brother. My parents had to make several trips from San Diego to try and find the dog and have it checked for rabies or my brother would have to under treatment. We were lucky and the dog was not infected.